Tag Archives: greece

Ancient Platiana (Tipaneai or Aipy)

21 Sunday Sep 2014

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Ancient Platiana (Tipaneai or Aipy)

(37.57 km – approx. 45 mins from Katakolon)

The remains of the ancient city (Tipaneai or Aipy) are located on a hill of the Lapitha Mountain, South of the village called Platiana (district of Olympia). This fortified, oblong city (max length: 600m, width: 200 m) is surrounded my walls, which probably date to the 4th or 3rd century BC and are preserved in quite good condition (reaching 5m in height in some places). Three large gates are set in the North-West, South-West and East side of the walls-the latter being the main gate. There are also several square or trapezoidal defensive towers. The walls are built of large blocks in polygonal masonry.

ancient Tipaneai or ancient Aipy

Ancient Platiana

One of the terraces is occupied by the theatre, whose stage-building and cavea are partially preserved. On the other terraces one can see: a) the “Acropolis”, b) the “Agora” with a large cistern carved in the natural limestone rock, c) the retaining wall of the “Temple”. In the East part of the city are the foundations of several different buildings, which may be houses of distinguished persons of the city.

plan ancient platiana

General plan

Systematic works at the acropolis were conducted during 2002-2003 by the 7th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities.

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the kafeneion

18 Thursday Sep 2014

Posted by in bars & cafés, katakolon

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the greek kafeneion

In many villages you will see the traditional Greek coffee-houses, one of the oldest gastronomic institutions in Greece. This is the place where the older Greek men spent most of their waking hours. They go to the kafeneion and play cards, backgammon with friends, or simply sit alone with their thoughts. Traditionally kafeneia serve gritty Greek coffee, ouzo or coupa (a water-glass filled with the local wine). When the village clock strikes 12, as if by mutual agreement, all start to order their ouzo, preparing their taste buds for the lunch which is going to follow. As for the decor, well, it’s non existent.

In the authentic Greek villages, women are not supposed to go there. If they do, they will start gossiping in the village. This doesn’t mean that women are weak-willed. There is a saying in Greek which says that the man is the head of the family, but the woman is the neck and she turns the head in whatever direction she wants!

kafeneio

Ancient Samia (Kato Samiko)

14 Sunday Sep 2014

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Ancient Samia (Kato Samiko)

(38.15 km – approx. 35 mins from Katakolon)

 

The acropolis of ancient Samia (Kato Samiko) is probably located on the westernmost offshoot of the Eleian mountain Minthe, called Lapitha. The acropolis was founded at the end of the 5th century BC and was inhabited until the Roman period. During the 2nd century AD, the traveler Pausanias saw it destroyed.

Kato Samiko

The acropolis of ancient Samia

Its walls, which have the form of an irregular trapezium and constitute a typical example of pseudo-polygonal masonry, have a length of 1500 metres. Four small gates are set in the walls, while large rectangular towers are located on their outer side (max. preserved height: approx. 5m).

The remains of many buildings can be found inside the acropolis. In recent times a large oblong construction, whose roof was supported by columns, has been discovered. This was probably a public building. There are also several large cisterns for water supply.

This site is considered as one of the most important cities of ancient Triphylia. Samia occupied an important strategic position because it controlled the narrow coastal passage from Eleia towards Triphylia and Messenia. It took actively part in the struggle of the Triphylian cities for independence from the domination of the Eleians. In 244 BC, however, the Aitolian Polysperchon occupied the city and used it as a base of operations, in order to separate the Triphylian cities from the Arcadians and to concede them to his allies, the Eleians.

Kato Samiko

Ancient Samia

Systematic works at the acropolis were conducted during 2002-2003 by the 7th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Atiquities.

The Archimedes’ Museum

08 Monday Sep 2014

Posted by in ancient olympia, museums

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Ancient Olympia

Archimedes’ Museum

The Archimedes’ museum in Ancient Olympia

The Archimedes’ museum is permanently hosted in a two-storey building in the center of the city of Ancient Olympia. The Archimedes’ Museum is of the most unique thematic museums in Greece and is dedicated to the great Mathematician, Physicist, Engineer, Astronomer and Inventor in ancient Greece and a genius of the technology of his time. Archimedes passed on great theses of all the ancient sciences and, above all, he became the springboard for the development of modern science. Some of his inventions are in use even today. It is known that Archimedes inspired Da Vinci and even influenced Galileo and Newton.

In the field of mathematics, he invented the infinitesimals and the method of exhaustion, which are the modern Differential and Integral calculus, a numbering system for measuring very large sizes which is similar to the modern exponential – logarithmic system and (without taking into account the recent retrievals from the famous “palimpsest”) he had a “modern” perception of combinatorics and actual infinity that made Leibniz quote, “He who understands Archimedes … will admire less the achievements of the foremost men of later times”.

Similarly, in the field of mechanics, the hydraulic screw, the accurate mechanical planetarium, the winch with gears and endless screw, the dioptra, the odometer, the nautical odometer, the mechanical and the hydraulic paradox, the means to check the purity of gold, the density meter, burning using mirrors, the Roman scale, the giant cranes and the powerful war machines are some of his 24 inventions that are exhibited on the ground floor of the Museum. Located in the central hall is the famous Antikythera mechanism, which recent research has shown indirect fatherhood of the Syracusian man. Also, 24 exceptional inventions from the time of Archimedes, such as the “cinema” and the “robot – servant” of Philon, the most accurate automatic clock, the “hydraulis”, the twin suction force piston pump of Ktesibios, the repeating catapult of Dionysios and more, are exhibited on the first floor of the museum.

The aim of the Archimedes’ museum is to feature, in absolute validity and reliability, this unknown perspective of that great wise man of antiquity and to prove that the technology of the Ancient Greeks during the 3rd century B.C. was shockingly similar to the beginning of our modern technology.

The bolts and nuts, gears and rules, pulleys and belts, sprockets and roller chains, hydraulic controllers and valves, programmers and auto-pilots (which are also parts of the motor in a contemporary automobile), are just some of the inventions of the ancient Greeks which were the foundations of their complex technology. These legacies, identical and irreplaceable, continue today to constitute the building blocks of our modern technology, the development of which would be doubtful without its effortless and undemanding adoption. Only after a millennium of maturation was humanity able to “recover” this remarkable forgotten technology. The exploration of this age, when ownership for peak technology was not claimed, demonstrates, without a doubt, how much more (than we think) the modern Western Technological Civilization owes the Greeks.

The exhibits are accompanied by rich audio-visual material (in Greek and English), such as explanatory labels and giant posters with information, detailed diagrams, photos and complete bibliographical references, while many of the exhibits are interactive. There are projecting stations with video and animation as well as documentaries in which the exhibitor explains the function and the use of the mechanisms. The exhibition (in thematic sections) follows the modern educational perception in Pedagogic and Museum Education so that it acts multileveled, as far as the greatness of ancient Greek technological thought and technique is concerned, in all levels of the educational community and the wider public.

 

Ancient Pheia (the submerged city) & Pontikokastro

06 Saturday Sep 2014

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Agios Andreas

(1.98 km – approx. 4 mins from Katakolon)

Ancient Pheia (the submerged city) and Pontikokastro

In the bay of Agios Andreas are the remains of Ancient Pheia, which was an important harbor for ancient Olympia. Pheia was partially sucked into the sea by the earthquake that overthrew the Temple of Zeus at Olympia in the 6th century AD. Remains from the wall of Pheia can be traced under water, which were explored by several archaeologists in the 1970’s. Unfortunately, it is not allowed to dive here since there are so many antiquities. (Pheia is not the only submerged ancient city in Greece. In the southern part of the Peloponnese, there are at least 2 more prehistoric settlements (Pavlopetri and one near Methoni) that were sunk into the sea. There are actual plans to turn these submerged cities into underwater archaeological parks. Greece’s underwater wealth was first shown in the 1957 movie “Boy on a Dolphin” with Sophia Loren.)

Immortalized in dozens of works of fiction, the Peloponnesian War took place in the fifth century B.C. between the city-state of Athens and various armies of the Peloponnese, who called themselves the Peloponnesian League. The war lasted nearly 30 years, raging across the Aegean Sea and the northern Mediterranean. One of the cities involved in the war was Pheia, which was conquered by the Athenians and turned into a shipping headquarters for its military supply line.

Near the close of the fifth century, the area along the western coast of Greece was shaken by an earthquake that plunged the city of Pheia five meters (16 ft) below the surface of the Mediterranean. The city was lost until 1911, when an excavation team found the ancient civilization. Since then, numerous archaeologists have studied the city. Despite the global interest in the Pheia ruins, we still don’t know much about this important fragment of history.

continue reading…

Ancient Pheia (Fouache and Dalongeville, 1998), which is now completely under water, situated in the Bay of Aghios Andreas, on the northern side of the cape of Katakolon in Ilia, was the port of Olympia during Greek and Roman times. It is a good example of the high tectonic activity at the front of the Aegean Arc. At the bottom of the bay a fossil beachrock and a fossil notch can be observed. At the end of the 5th century AD, a 6.5m tectonic subsiding movement drowned the site of Pheia, thus providing the sea with an enormous amount of sediments which it shaped into a prograding beach including extremely varied elements, some taken from the submerged city (ceramic, slags, stones), some from the cliff. Later, at an undetermined period, the whole lot was raised, thus leaving the archaeological vestiges 5 meters deep under water and raising the top of the intertidal zone of the beach up to 1.5 m.

continue reading…

beach

Pheia’s low acropolis had a byzantine castle (Pontikokastro or “mouse” castle), which became the Beauvoir of the Villehardouins. The steep site is considerably overgrown, with low remains, one or two towers, and a plethora of potentially dangerous cisterns.

castle

The main thing here is the view, still beautiful!

Book presentation by Sakis Trampadoros

07 Thursday Aug 2014

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Book presentation by Sakis Trampadoros – “Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos and the society of his time” and “On Saints”

 

book exhibition

Sakis Trampadoros

The traditional convenience store “Edeatros” and the bookstore “Lexis” invite you to the presentation of two books written by Sakis Trampadoros, “Saint Dionysios of Zakynthos and the society of his time” and “On Saints“.

The event will take place on Monday, August 11 at 20:30, on the pedestrian road next to the Archaeological Museum of Pyrgos (1 Metaxas Street). A comprehensive reference to the issues raised in these two books is scheduled for the presentation.

The discussion will be opened by the journalist-author Mr Michalis Maniatis, the philologist Professor Augerinos Anastasopoulos and the author Mr Sakis Trampadoros.

The event will be coordinated by the journalist Mr Panagiotis Foteinopoulos.

24th Festival Ilida – programme 2014

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

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The program of the 24th Festival Ilida

programme 2014

Festival Ilida

 

The art of theatre ‘meets’ once again, for the 24th year, Ancient Elis and the homonymous festival, which has established itself as one of the best in the country.

Exceptional performances of ancient drama, performances of the new stage and the children’s scene, bearing the signature of remarkable filmmakers and cast members involved, frame the program of the 24th Festival of Ancient Ilida, which premiered on 12 July and drops its curtain on August 21.

The “heart” of culture will ring for two months in Ancient Elis, where they present a total of fifteen performances six ancient dramas, five of the new scene and four of the children’s scene.

The municipality of Ilida is again organizing a festival of high claims, as illustrated by the program, and aims to gather theater goers to Ancient Elis.

 

THE PROGRAMME

 

In July

Friday 25th July, the children’s performance of “DON QUIXOTE” by Miguel de Cervantes, adapted and directed by Dimitris Adami
Cast: Dimitris Agoras, Alexis Vidalakis, Petros Ioannis, Thomi Koskosi, Giorgos Balopita, Danae Sdougkou and Marilisa Chronea.

Saturday 26th July, the comedy of Alexandros Rigas and Dimitris Apostolou “FONISSES OF PAPADIAMANTI”
Cast: Eleni Kastani, Konstantina Michael, Natalia Dragoumi Jenny Botsi, Foteini Demiri, Sophia Vogiatzaki, Patrikios Kostis, Parthena Chorozidou and Jessi Papoutsi

Monday 28th July,  performance of “MARIA PENTAGIOTISSA” by Bost, directed by Giannis Bostantzoglou
Cast: Giannis Bostantzoglou, Giannis Aivazi, Dimitra Papadema, Kostas Flokatoulas, Pericles Albanis, Petros Petrou, Marios Leonidis, Konstantinos Prasa, Giorgos Mataraga and Petros Xekoukis

 

In August

Friday 1st August, the children’s performance of “The Magic Key” by Carmen Ruggeri
Cast: Helen Zioga, Orestes Karidas, Alexandros Kompogiorgas, Giannis Nikolaos, Nadia Mitroudi, Amanda Sofianopoulou and Myrto Chryssanthakopoulou

Saturday 2nd August,  the performance of “TROADES” by Euripides, directed by Themis Moumoulidis
Cast: Filareti Komnenou, Stelios Mainas, Aris Lempesopoulos, Zeta Duka, Ioanna Pappa, Maria Protopappa, Christos Plainis, Lena Papaligoura, Marouska Panagiotopoulou, Loukia Michalopoulou, Georgina Palaiothodorou, Eirini Kyrmizaki
Music: Iris Mara (clarinet), Io Kyriakidi (accordion)

Thursday 7th August, the performance of “Oops … ELECTRA” parody of Alexis Kallitsis, directed by Petros Filippidis and Anna Panagiotopoulou
Cast: Petros Filippidis, Elizabeth Konstandinidou, Gerasimos Skiadaresis,  Dimitris Mavropoulos, Crateros Katsoulis, Panos Stathakopoulos, Alberto Fais, Manos Ioannis, Christos Spanos, Stavros Karagiannis and Kyriakos Markatos

Saturday 9th August, the performance of “THESMOFORIAZUSAE” by Aristophanes, directed by Giorgos Kimoulis
Cast: Giorgos Kimoulis, Dimitris Piata, Fay Xyla, Thanassis Alevras, Konstantinos Giannakopoulos, Dimitris Rafailo and Harris Chiotis

Sunday 10th August, the children’s performance of “SLEEPING BEAUTY AWOKE” by Xenia Kalogeropoulou, Thomas Moschopoulos, directed by Vangelis Theodoropoulos
Cast:  Amalia Arseni, Anthi Efstratiadou, Christos Pitsas, Stavros Svigkos, Evangelia Syriopoulou, Foteini Timothyeou and Orestes Tziovas

Wednesday 13th August, the performance of “DINNER WITH FRIENDS” by Donald Margulies, directed by Grigoris Valtinos
Cast: Grigoris Valtinos, Kleona Gregoriadi, Renia Loizidou and Alexandra Palaiologou

Saturday 16th August the performance of “IPHIGENIA IN TAURIS” by Euripides, directed by Kerasia Samaras
Cast: Kerasia Samara, Alexander Ntavris, Vasilis Giakoumaros, Kostas Tsachras, Vangelis Salefris, Eleni Kakkali, Despina Bougiatioti, Tonia Apostolou and Kelly Anyfanti

Monday 18th August, provided by the National Theatre of Northern Greece, the performance of “PERSIANS” by Aeschylus, directed by Niketis Kondouris
Cast: Giannis Fertis (Darius), Akis Sakellariou (Atossa), Lazaros Georgakopoulos (Messenger) and Giorgos Kolovos (Xerxes).

Thursday 21st August, the National Theatre project of “FROGS” by Aristophanes, directed by Giannis Kakleas
Cast: Basilis Charalampopoulos, Fanis Mouratidis, John Zouganeli, Panos Vlachos

 

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus – programme 2014

21 Monday Jul 2014

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The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus – programme 2014

 

programme 2014

epidauros theatre

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus aims to highlight and promote the work of young artists and to present contemporary trends in dance, music and theatre through the invitation of, and collaboration with interesting artists and performance companies.

Getting There

The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is situated within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, in the Argolis prefecture of the Peloponnese. It is a half-hour drive from Nafplio and approximately three hours from Katakolon.

Tickets:

http://tickets.greekfestival.gr/en/ef/

 

National Theatre of Greece – Lydia Koniordou

Hippolytus by Euripides
25-26 July, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
This year, the tragedy will be directed by Lydia Koniordou in the ancient theatre, where the main roles will be played by herself, Leda Protopsalti, Nikos Kouris, Themis Panou, Sarantis Michalis, Phaedon Kastris, Evgenia Apostolou, Noni Ioannidou, et al.

 

Roula Pateraki

War Manifesto (Part I)
25-26 July, 21:30

Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus
Based on The History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides A project directed by Roula Pateraki based on the classic work by Thucydides which narrates the events of the catastrophic war between Athens and Sparta (431-404 BC). The play is in three parts, and is expected to be performed over three consecutive festivals (2014-2016).

 

National Theatre of Greece – Yiannis Kakleas

The Frogs by Aristophanes
1-2 August, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
What can save the city? The momentum of modernisation or the grandeur of the past? Euripides or Aeschylus? Realism or the supernatural? The dilemma posed by Aristophanes in The Frogs takes centre stage in Yiannis Kakleas’ production, which examines the importance of art in times of transition such as ours. The power of art, the poorness of modern critique, theatre as an artistic and political act, comprise elements of a performance that explores new theatrical forms and the value of verse, while demonstrating the timelessness of Aristophanes’ quandary.

 

Theatro Domatiou – Angela Brouskou

The Bacchae by Euripides
8-9 August, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Armed with a powerful cast and a willingness to take directorial risks, Angela Brouskou takes on the Bacchae (405 BC) in Giorgos Cheimonas’ translation. The adversaries, Dionysus and Pentheas, are played respectively by Aglaia Pappa and Aristeidis Servetalis.

The performance is presented in Greek, with english subtitles

 


State Theatre of Nothern Greece – Nikaiti Kontouri

The Persians by Aeschylus
15-16 August, 21:00

Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
In the wake of her Trojan Women, Nikaiti Kontouri returns with another anti-war tragedy, this time with male protagonists played by Giannis Fertis, Akis Sakellariou and Lazaros Georgakopoulos.

 

2nd Port Festival in Katakolon – Workshops

20 Sunday Jul 2014

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2nd Port Festival in Katakolon – Workshops

workshops

Katakolon Port Festival 2014

1. Creative workshop & expression by the “Oneirodromio”

As part of the Katakolon Port Festival “Oneirodromio” will carry out a creation & expression workshop for children aged 7 years and over on Wednesday, July 30, at 7:30 pm. By playing with simple natural materials and using creative writing techniques, they will enliven through color, lyrics, drawings and inspiration our own summer pictures. Bring only your imagination along. Head of the workshop is the theatrologist Vicky Petropoulou. (Total: 15 children). Interested parties should register at: 6981044266.

2. A two-day creative workshop from recyclable materials

In the framework of the Katakolon Port Festival a two-day creative workshop from recyclable materials will take place, headed by Litsa KASTRITSA. The workshop will be held on Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 July from 7:30 pm and is all about handmade creations from papier-mâché, for people aged 15 and over. Bring newspapers, magazines, cardboard, wrapping paper, scissors, disposable gloves, paints, glitter and any other decorative item you wish. The glue will be made using flour, while the brushes will be available at the workshop. Interested parties should register at: 6940720331 or Ms KASTRITSA’S profile on FB (Litsa Kast).

3. A three-day animation workshop

At the booth of the Olympia International Film Festival for Children & Young People a 3-day an animation – stop motion workshop will be held from the team members of Zizanimation18 +. Both young and old visitors of the booth will have the opportunity to create their own stop motion short stories through a “magic” box.

Ancient Olympia Festival 2014

20 Sunday Jul 2014

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summer 2014

Ancient Olympia Festival

Ancient Olympia Festival 2014

Several performances and concerts that stir your interest take place once again this summer at the Festival of Ancient Olympia. “Antigone”, Giannis Haroulis concert, Stavros Xarchakos concert and “Guess who is going to die tonight” by Papathanassiou – Reppas are just some of the very interesting events.

The programme for the Ancient Olympia Festival 2014 is as follows:

 

Friday, July 18
“Antigone”, theatre of Ehmi
Directed by: Giannis Nikolaidis
Cast: Foteini Filosofou, Giannis Nicolaidis
Start time: 21:15

Monday, July 21
Concert:  Giannis Haroulis
Start time: 21:30

Friday, July 25
Concert:  Stavros Xarchakos
Start time: 21:30

Friday, August 1
Concert:  Marios Frangoulis-Elli Paspala
Start time: 21:30

Saturday, August 2
“My convict”, theatrical performance by Helen Rudd, Sara Ganotis, Nikos Stavrakoudis
Start time: 21:30

Wednesday, August 6
Concert:  Giannis Parios

Thursday, August 7
Book presentation by N.Karyotis

Sunday, August 10
Concert: Tribute to the municipality of Moutsi, “You don’t say a word”, The Colours of Ilida Orchestra

Wednesday, August 13
Concert: Socrates Malamas

Thursday, August 21
“Guess who is going to die tonight”, theatrical performance by Papathanassiou – Reppas

Sunday, August 24
“Speak, magic apples”, children’s theatrical performance by the group” Astronautes “, an adaptation of The Big Magic by Brendan Murray

Wednesday, August 27
Theater for Kids “Tales – Paramythotragouda” by the Academy of Poetry and Tales and Creative Workshop “Dreamcatcher”

Wednesday, August 27
“Onar-Through art for the sick child”, theatrical performance

Thursday, August 28
“Caveman”, theatrical performance by Anastasia Papastathi with Vladimir Kyriakidis

 

Tickets:

  •  Pavlidis Musical House (Pyrgos Ilias)
  •  Vivliopanorama (Amaliada Ilia)
  •  Rodo Cafe, contact tel: 26240 29180 (Olympia)
  •  POINT shoes & clothes, Ermou and Germanou St., tel: 26210 28517